MARSHALL — Organizers at the Lincoln County Fair were gearing up to get things ready for guests and fair entrants alike on Wednesday. It looks like youth are really getting involved in this year’s fair, Curt Madsen said.

“I know our 4-H livestock numbers are up, especially for sheep,” said Madsen, a member of the Lincoln County Fair Board. He said it was exciting to see the level of participation growing again, after a slump caused by the COVID pandemic.

Events with a country feel are offering area residents a number of ways to have fun this weekend. The Lincoln County Fair opens today in Tyler, and runs through Sunday. On Saturday, music lovers can enjoy a whole evening’s worth of live bands at the Loose Gravel Music Festival near Walnut Grove.

Madsen said this year’s fair includes a mix of attractions for all ages, from make-and-take art projects to inflatables for kids. Some of the inflatables include water features, which should be popular in this week’s heat, Madsen said.

The fair will also have music and entertainment performances every day, with performances by Neon Gypsy on Thursday, the Red Letter Band on Friday, Skippin’ Stones on Saturday and Lonny Carpenter on Sunday. Saturday is also when comedian and hypnotist “Lizzy” will perform.

“Saturday is our biggest day at the fair,” Madsen said. The events lineup for the day includes the Lincoln County Corn & Soybean Growers’ agriculture awareness breakfast, and a free hamburger feed by the Southwest Minnesota Cattlemen’s Association. In the afternoon, a ranch rodeo will be held at the fairgrounds.

The annual demolition derby at the grandstand will help bring the fair to a close on Sunday.

Madsen said Lincoln County’s fair is a smaller fair, but it has an atmosphere that brings people together.

“Our fair is like a family reunion and get-together,” he said.

Tuneful times at Loose Gravel Music Festival

Now that this year’s “Fragments of a Dream” pageant is over, the scene is changing up in Walnut Grove. On Saturday, music lovers can come out to the Wilder Outdoor Amphitheater for an afternoon and evening of music.

“The music we look for is kind of a bluegrass and Americana mix,” said Bill Richards, one of the festival organizers.

The Loose Gravel Music Festival starts at 3 p.m. Saturday. The music will last until about midnight, Loose Gravel organizers said. Food vendors will also be available, Richards said.

There are four bands in this year’s festival lineup, Richards said. The schedule includes Kindred Spirits; Nate Boots and the High Horses; The Watermelon Slush; and The Double Down Daredevils, who will close out the evening’s entertainment. The musicians performing include residents from southwest Minnesota communities, including the Marshall and Currie areas, Richards said.

The Loose Gravel Festival is now in its third year. Richards said the event brings added variety of things to do in the Walnut Grove area during the summer.

“It’s a different crowd than during the pageant,” he said. “There’s lots of local folks.”

Event Schedules

Loose Gravel Music Festival, Walnut Grove

Saturday, July 29

Gates open 3 p.m.

Festival information and ticket sales available online at loosegravelmusicfestival.org

Lincoln County Fair, Tyler

Thursday

5:30-9:30 p.m. – Inflatables

7 p.m. – Outstanding Senior Citizen Award, 4-H Fashion Revue and 4-H Parade of Champions

8 p.m. – Neon Gypsy at the outdoor free stage

Friday

1-8 p.m. – Ecology Bus Center

5 p.m. – Make-and-take gnome project

5:30-9:30 p.m. – Inflatables

7 p.m. – Make-and-take beaded plant stakes project

7 p.m. – Red Letter Band at outdoor free stage

Saturday

7-10 a.m. – Lincoln County Corn & Soybean Growers’ breakfast

11 a.m.-Noon – Entries accepted for County Fair Bake-Off: “My Favorite Cookie”

12:30-4:30 p.m. – Inflatables

1 p.m. – Ranch Rodeo

1 p.m. – Century Farm presentations

3 p.m. – Skippin’ Stones at outdoor free stage

4:30-6:30 p.m. – Larry Olsen Band at Rainbow Pavilion

5 p.m. – Southwest Minnesota Cattlemen Association free hamburger feed

5 p.m. – Kiddie tractor pull

5:30-9:30 p.m. – Inflatables

6:30 p.m. – Make-and-take ceramic tile project

6:30 p.m. – Bean bag tournament

7 p.m. – “Lizzy” comedy stage hypnotist

Sunday

12:30 p.m. – 4-H Auction

Small Animal Show following 4-H Auction. Kids are invited to bring pets to the show.

2:30-4:00 p.m. – Lonny Carpenter at outdoor free stage

3 p.m. – Demolition Derby